Teacher

With animation, there is a sort of unspoken rule or promise: It’s crucial we seasoned animators pass on what we’ve learned to the next generation. It’s a mentorship of sorts – a tutelage – that you don’t see in a lot of other creative fields. I have even found that, when I impart what I know and have learned to others, in effect I’m learning something new! Our industry has gotten so strong over the years (spanning well over four decades) as a direct result of learning and growing from one another. This is precisely why I enjoy teaching at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN – it’s why I believe 2D animation is experiencing such a renaissance. The culture of 2D animation is brimming with a sense of community.

Ultimately, though, I’d say God has been my single greatest teacher. He has taught me to be observant, skilled in memory, and a storyteller. As a matter of fact, when I saw my first animation I thought, “This must be what God feels when he creates something from nothing!”